Johnny Manziel doesn’t see the field in CFL regular season debut
By Adam Stocker
Johnny Manziel doesn’t play in Hamilton’s 28-14 loss to Calgary in the opening week of the CFL season.
Since signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on the eve of training camp, all eyes have been on Johnny Manziel. The former Heisman Trophy winner has brought an increase in attention to the CFL and new fans to the brand of football played north of the border. However, in his regular season debut, Manziel did not play a single snap. Manziel watched from the sidelines as starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli played the entire game for Hamilton, losing 28-14 to the Calgary Stampeders.
Manziel not playing was expected. The former Heisman winner has never been expected to start as long as Masoli is healthy. In the days leading up to the game, Ticats head coach June Jones announced that the team did not design any packages specifically for Manziel. However, that could change as the season advances.
Masoli has been Hamilton’s starter since taking over at the beginning of September last season. The former Oregon and Mississippi quarterback threw for 344 yards and ran for a touchdown. However, there are three blemishes on Masoli’s opener. Hamilton only found the end zone once and Masoli lost a fumble to start the second half and threw a bad interception late in the fourth quarter.
The interception essentially sealed the loss for Hamilton. Almost immediately following the interception, Calgary running back Don Jackson seal the victory with a 44-yard touchdown carry. The touchdown extended Calgary’s home winning streak against Hamilton. The Ticats have not beat the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium since the 2004 season.
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Hamilton stays in Alberta for Week 2 of the CFL season, traveling north to Edmonton to play the Eskimos. The game kicks off Friday night at 10:00 p.m. ET. Fans in Canada can watch the game on TSN, while fans in the United States can watch the game on ESPN+.
Edmonton started the season with a 33-30 win, in a game twice delayed by lightning. Eskimo quarterback Mike Reilly threw for 408 yards and a touchdown and ran for 43 yards and two scores. Manziel former Texas A&M receiver Derel Walker had 176 yards receiving, including a 101-yard touchdown.